A healthy brain is vital for healthy aging. Many of the healthy lifestyle behaviors that promote our physical, social and emotional well-being also help combat declines in brain function.  Take your pick of any or all five of these action steps for better brain health:

Sleep – Sleep promotes brain growth and repair. Make it a goal to get eight hours of rest each night.

Stress Less – Try deep breathing, meditation, yoga, a walk or other enjoyable activity to help yourself relax.  Less stress means less cortisol, a stress hormone that damages the brain.

Daily exercise – This will improve thinking skills and also help reduce loss of brain tissue.  Remember: dancing counts as exercise!

Eat healthy - Focus on vegetables of all colors, such as white mushrooms and cauliflower, green broccoli, and dark green leafy veggies, along with fish.

Get together with friends - Maintaining an active social life helps reduce memory loss.  It also helps prevent cognitive decline. Here’s your chance to enjoy a game of cards or “Concentration” with one of your kids or grandkids!

NDSU Extension offers more information, exercises, recipes and apps for boosting brain wellness online at:

 https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/nourishyourbody/4-things-to-do-to-nourish-your-brain

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